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Why an Airedale?
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OK
friends, I need a reminder. Tell me again why we can't live without these
Airedales. The "best" Airedale activity today was Baron eating the
roll of paper towels while I was cleaning up from Bristol's incident. CeCe -
and her out-of-control barking - is a subject I won't even approach. Christine
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Life is Merrier with An Airedale
Terrier???
"What's life like living with an Airedale
Terrier"
asked my sister in law while sitting on her derrière
Well said I, with a twinkle in my eye
"it just couldn't get much
merrier"
"How so", she asked
"Just watch", I
laughed
And tossed a squeeky toy in air
Sam lept to his feet
and as if on a dare
Quickly snatched the fuzzy bear
In
formidable jaws of death,
wildly racing about the house, not returning
til out of breath,
He squeeked that bruin until it would squeek no
more
Finally dropping the slimed and desqueeked toy upon the
floor.
Looking up at me with heart-melting eyes
He
then stood pleading...throw another, yes, throw another prize
And.......suddenly I came up with a wicked guise,
First I taunted,
laughed and teased,
eventually hiding the new toy up my
sleeve
Sam looked and looked, behind my back, at my
hands
Down toward the end of the room he ran
then back to me
and down to the end of the room again
quizzically he looked in the
air..... could it be caught on the
ceiling fan?
Puzzled, eyes pleading, he stood watching.... still as a statue
And
all the while I'm cockedly thinking... yippee...I've scored a
coup
Untrue, untrue, untrue, totally untrue....
because my oh so smart
aire-boy
had by now zeroed in on a more accessible toy.....
.....my new Nike shoe!!!
Can you hear my
sister in law laughing????
Jeanne & The
Desert'dales
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Because they are cute, fuzzy, some of them are cuddly, they are
smart (outsmart us a lot of times), funny, scared of storms and have to be
held (mothering instinct in us), stubborn, willful - guess that's the same as
stubborn. There is no other breed in the world quite like an Airedale! And
we can't live without them. Does that help? Bobbi
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While I was gone last week, my guys shredded a major newspaper
in the living room (it's ALWAYS the living room) one afternoon. A few days
later they destroyed their sixth (in two years) dog bed, as in: bite the
zipper off so the cover can't be used again unless you sew (I don't) and can
put in another zipper, assuming the fabric isn't too damaged (but it was),
shred the stuffing and spread it all over the living room floor (for a summer
blizzard effect) and smile innocently when the alpha male (as Maureen would
say) comes home.
What would we ever do for quality entertainment without them?? Does
this help? Elizabeth
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Well, I've come to determine our reason for having an Airedale
is so that we wouldn't need a paper shredder for our documents ... both Piper
and Abbey LOVE to shred any paper they get their teeth on. Today I came home
to find our newspaper shredded on the living room floor and sofa. Mind you,
the dogs were not loose alone, our son and daughter were home doing their
thing. No need to prune the plants outside, either. Abbey just runs or walks
by and picks off the low branches on the Rose of Sharon, ornamental grasses
and even dead-heads flowers. But there is also time when they are the most loving,
cuddling, couch potatoes you can ask for. Marie
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Well, I don't own an Airedale anymore. I had to find a home for
my Zoe when my husband's allergies just became too much. Luckily, I found a
wonderful couple who adore her (as is proper) and we have become good
friends.
So, here's what I miss about NOT owning an Airedale:
Her goofy smile when I came home in the evening. The way her
tail would wag so hard her back end started coming in a semi-circle to the
front. Her habit of coming up to ask for some attention by putting both paws
in my lap and then leaning in for a long cuddle. How she slept on her bed
with a cat and never minded sharing. Walks through the neighborhood and
people stopping me to tell me how beautiful she was (and a lot of "what
kind of dog is that?"); one time someone offered to buy her. Not a
chance. Watching her grow from a 6-month-old, hairy, goofy puppy to a
70-pound, classically beautiful Airedale, with some moments of dignity and a
big sense of humor. The way she stopped on walks to give me a nose-poke so I
wouldn't forget she was there.
Yeah, she chewed a couple rugs and the legs of a hutch. I lost
count of the number of beds I bought for her so she could use them as big
chew toys. Cleaning up the yard was no treat, and trying to dry her beard
after a big drink of water was always a challenge. And then there were the
bills associated with a dog: grooming, vet's, doggie day care and replacement
beds.
But I would take her back in a second if I could and put up with
everything if I could own an Airedale again. As it is, I walk the Airedale
Terrier Rescue & Adoption dogs that land at my local vet and transport
'dales who need a ride to a new, better home. But it's not the same and you
know it. So, I know you're just exasperated after an Airedale kind of day,
but I had to weigh in with why I would take that kind of a day if I could. Then,
I would sit down with a drink and contemplate what makes me put up with these
big, hairy, goofy, charming dogs ... it must be love. Ellen
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Because
they make us laugh and bring out the love from the deepest part of our heart
of hearts - there's just nothing like that kind of love. There's that
wonderful unique bond and kinship that knows no bounds. They make my world
complete. And they ground us in this day and age of chaos. Kat
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Because
they make us smile every day. Sophie has a UTI and thus had to wear diapers
for a few days -- this doesn't faze her. However, I left her recent diaper by the door --
it is
clean ... and today she was barking at me while I was in the basement to come up ... and she goes and picks up her diaper and tosses it in the air.
That made me smile. Deb
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They are
Reality TV at work in our homes. The best entertainment around even if they
drive us a bit bonkers at times. Those people who produce these silly reality
TV programs should come visit some of us; they'd get a dose of a day in the
life of living with Airedales. Jeanne
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You can't
help but laugh when you're sitting at the dining room table after supper and
a 70 pound Airedale is trying to get into your guest's lap, or when they want you to get
up so they slam into the mattress and rub all the way down. And their favorite:
bearded dogs that have had sardines for supper, then drink a gallon of water
(saved in their beards) coming your direction, when you're dressed to go out
for supper. Glenda
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Because they make us laugh and have short tails
and we stay grounded with humor.
I had my sister's Lab here for a week. It was a dog I rescued
and gave to them five years ago. He is a lovely boy
tall, long and lanky. Ball crazy and great for her boys. I could not
live with a lab. He is a couch potato until he hears "Ball"; he doesn't
really "play" like an Airedale; and that tail! He wags it
constantly and sweeps literally everything at that height. All my outdoor
planters have bashed flowers
tables are cleaned off
doors are whacked hard. He is not a clown
he does some funny things-like say "Mom". He is not a
thinking dog...couldn't find his way out of a paper bag if he tried....but
sweet and loving. Alice tried to tell him she was hot on the trail of a rat
and he should come along--nope
he sat down and looked around
not a clue there was scent of anything....until he spotted his
ball. LOL Give me a thinking, clownish, playful
vermin-hunting Airedale any day. Lydia
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I love
the fact that these dogs think for themselves! I know that it is a full
time
job reminding them that we are boss, but I like that. My brother-in-law
has two golden retrievers because he wanted dogs that do not challenge him,
they just follow him blindly. Don't get me wrong, that breed is a wonderful,
beautiful dog for those that like that personality, but I prefer my Airegirl -
she has a mind of her own and likes to tease. She outsmarts those dogs all of
the time and I love to watch her thinking and carrying out her plan. She has
learned everything that I have taken the time to teach her properly and we
have learned, as we did with our children, firmness and consistency, mixed
with love and affection are the secret. Heather
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Why do anything that's challenging??
Why raise kids that challenge you every step of the way when
your efforts are rewarded in the future? Why do anything that's not easy? If
you want easy get a cat! Airedales are challenging! They need constant
attention, they need constant discipline to show them the difference between
right and wrong. If you are not willing to give that get a different breed. But
... If you're willing to do all the work, all the saying "No", and
backing that up, you'll be rewarded with a wonderful companion. Too many
Airedales are in rescue because of owners that don't make that commitment.
Jim
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Just
last week I had the "scream like you are being attacked" yipping. I
jumped up from my morning coffee and thought "I need to grab something." It
sounded like Abbey was being attacked (my thought was a groundhog which
has been seen traveling through our yards in search of our veggie gardens). Broom
in hand I started out for our yard behind the fort/shed in the corner. Lo and
behold there was Abbey with her head stuck in our fence. She had wanted to sniff something
on the other side, went under and lifted her head up and I guess tried to pull it out thus
the screaming and yelping. As I got closer she realized
she had to lower it and then pull back. Sigh...my life would be SO boring
without an Airedale! Marie
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Oh Christine!
What great timing! I just got back upstairs from attending to Miss Trudikins.
She *had* to go outside -- even though she'd already been out twice. Miss
"I don't bark in the house" even barked to be let out! I thought
someone must be trying to break in to call for such drastic measures. Nope --
the emergency was that she just *had* to trot a few laps around the yard and
snuffle some bunny tracks.
I finally
gave in and joined her in my nightgown. She was onto something. It's a
beautiful cool night out and the grass smells fresh and clean. Trudi was
rolling in it, trying to convince me to do the same. I almost did. She had to
settle for a game of tag. I hope the neighbors weren't watching!
Eventually
Tim came out and wondered what was taking so long. I was too embarrassed to
admit that I was frolicking, too. I finally just gathered Trudi up and heaved
her into the house. It was almost a shame not to spend the night together in
the yard. Life's just too short to miss those kind of moments with my former
shy-girl! On the other hand, morning comes too early and sleep would be a
good idea too! Monica
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Sort of
like our morning wake-up call
by Ms Lilly'dale at 5:30. She emits one huge BARK letting us know it's time
to get up. So we get up (Sam generally isn't buying into this...he stays in
bed); take her to the back door (we keep the dog door closed at night to
discourage scorpions, kit foxes and other unwanted critters out); and let her
out. What does she do? Stands there, sniffing the wind, looks up at the sky,
turns around looks at us, goes to the big water tub for a sip (and I mean a
sip), continues to sniff the wind, looks at the sky again, then turns around
and trots back inside. No poop, no pee. So why does she get us up? I guess to
let us know to fix breakfast. Airedales, ya gotta love 'em. And this is why
we own them. Jeanne
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Can we add the one about them sleeping all day and stretching, licking, whining, playing with their ball, groaning, licking, licking, looking out the window and having to move the blinds so they hit against the window frame all night while you are trying to sleep, then when you get out of bed to get ready to go to work to earn the money for the dog food and dog sundries, they hop onto the nice warm soft spot you just left and go to sleep, meaning that you have to rouse the ADTs out of the warm spot to get them to go outside to do business and get their breakfast and cookie - don't forget the cookie or we'll just stand in your way until you get the cookie - and do the other 100 things you need to do in the morning.
In my next life I want to come back as an ADT to a person who is a human slave just like me. Glenda
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Because we
need company while in the shower or bathtub. Or while we are sitting
contemplating life. Life is boring if there isn't one or two sharing your
space. How about knowing that you are second to an Airedale for that hug and
kiss
when the
significant other comes home for the day. Wait your turn! I just love the
Happy Aire Dance that I get from the girls when I get home. It never ceases
to lift my spirits even after a "BAD" day. So many reasons that
outweigh the bad. So they chewed the leg on the teak coffee table or the 2
handles on the chest of drawers
they have
given smiles to those that have just lost their ADT by doing Zoomies and
playbows asking them to play. Good Will Ambassadors for Airedale Rescue!! Barbara
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It's that
charm, that
smile and the attitude of "what's this? what's next?" Ellen
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Because they keep us humble ... you can never get
too full of yourself when you live with an Airedale. Because they make sure
we never lose our sense of humor. Because they worm their way into your heart
in such a way that when they're not around life just isn't the same. Libby
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The joy,
the fun and the laughter an Airedale brings to a home is beyond a complete
description, but we'll try anyway. Our life here in Houston would not be
complete without the effects of our two Airedales such as:
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the
puddles of drool you don't know are there until you step in them
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the unexpected
(but expected) kiss and tongue action
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the big-eyed
look as if to say "what did I do?"
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the
missing/ hidden socks, pantyhose, shoe, favorite toy
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the
wonderful warmth of their bodies pressing against you at night as they lay
on your bed pushing you closer to the edge
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the way
they can take up 3/4 of a king-1size bed and only the human Alpha male grumbles
about that
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the happy
greeting you get when you come home, even if you were only gone for 10
minutes
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the
shoulder hugs
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the Tuck
Butt run
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the
insistent barking while looking up a tree
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the
drying of the beards, or trying to catch them to dry the beards
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the guard
dog behavior when it's important
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the
tender way they can watch out for each other, and you
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the
hanging of the head off the end of the bed / chair/ pillow
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the funny
sounds they make while sleeping - with eyes only half shut
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the sound
of their growling and grunting when playing tug of war with a rope toy (
to a non Airedale owner they would think this was a fight to the death -- we
know it's just play)
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the
quizzical looks on their faces at any given time is enough to make you laugh
out loud
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aarrooooing
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who knew
an Airedale could get bored with their food? so catsup, Parmesan cheese
and leftover chopped veggies and whatever is in the fridge have become toppings
on kibble
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the fun
of separating dogs to eat their meals
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fly
catching: watching the walls inside the house and attacking the wall to
get a fly-slamming straight on nose to wall only to find out it was a spot
of drool from earlier
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the happy
faces on other people when they see you have a adorable Airedale sticking
his head out the window of your car, or up to the glass window
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that
beautiful shine their hair gets after the latest grooming begins to grow
out
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watching
their cute butts wiggle when you walk behind them during their walk
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the fact
they know when it is time to go for the walk -- they can't tell time or can
they?
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their
stubbornness, independence and high intellect
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How well
they have trained us
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How much
they love us, no matter what. AND how much we love them! No matter what!
Kristine
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I have had Airedales so long I don't know what it would be like without them. I am pretty
sure I wouldn't like to try it. I probably wouldn't have holes in the yard, holes in the car's upholstery,
a hole in the side of the couch, giant "holes" in my checking account, etc. But I also wouldn't have all the fun and joy of living with
the 'dales. Probably wouldn't be on all these great Airedale lists either. Jan
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I too am
hooked...in my case I would not have a head on my knee. I would not have a
walking buddy. My life is good, but is
better with that Sassy One. We can't live without them because we have lived
with them ... and love them. Linda
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The
first mistake Christine
...I
think the Airedales own us!
Those
soulful eyes drilling a hole in yours when they want something; those fly-away
ears that have to make you laugh; the ever present "smile"; the paw
asking for forgiveness; the mouth that eventually will take your hand
"gently" to say I love you; the head butts and
nose pokes and squeezing between your legs as you're walking down the
driveway or
worse yet, the stairs!.
I
can't imagine missing them, but I truly
did when I went on vacation. Most of all they
make us smile! Rosey
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I would never have guessed I could fall in love with my Airedale
the way I have. I have other dogs, but Harry and I have something. He walks with me and runs his
head under my hand every so often just to let me know he is still with me.
When I am upset he curls (well he's bigger than me) up and lets me hold him.
At night he sleeps at the foot of my bed and watches out for me. He chews up
everything in sight. Have you ever had to pick up thousand of little pieces
of toilet paper from all over your living room if you have you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't
thank the Lord. Forget the kids' stuffed animals they are now Harry's. But
for every thing he does wrong he just has to look and me and I forgive him. He
has brought so much joy during a time when life is harder than I thought it
would get so for that he gets to lay on the couch sleep on the bed and if left out chew up toilet paper. Tracy
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Christine:
Sing along with the Carpenters and Dionne Warwick
(by Evie )
What do you
get when you fall in love?
A 'dale
with a pin to burst your bubble
That's what
you get for all your trouble
I'll never
fall in love again
I'll never
fall in love again
What do you
get when you kiss a 'dale
You get
beard slimed and sniffed and nuzzled
He'll trot
away and leave you puzzled
I'll never
fall in love again
I'll never
fall in love again
Don't tell
me what it's all about
'Cause I've
been there and I'm glad I'm out
Out of the
fur and fleas and claws that bind you
That is why
I'm here to remind you
What do you
get when you fall in love?
You only
get mess and worry and sorrow
So far at
least until tomorrow
I'll never
fall in love again
I'll never
fall in love again
So, for at
least until tomorrow
I'll never
fall in love again
I'll never
fall in love again
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Because
they've captured our hearts
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for
the rest of our lives. Jean
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